Too Many Calories, Not Enough Nutrients

The world produces enough food to supply a lot of people. If you look at American, Europe, and other western nations, there are ample high protein and high-fat foods. I once read a study that shows there is a large enough food supply to provide everyone in developed nations with five to six thousands calories a day, if not more.

And yet, despite this abundance, there’s a concern about the micronutrient content of the standard American diet (SAD). The problem lies with a number of factors, including how food is distributed, how it’s processed, and the mechanization of harvesting.

The irony is that while we are swimming in an ocean of food, people still lack micronutrients. Nutrients like folate, vitamin A, vitamin C, and trace elements are getting harder and harder to access.

Folate is one of the most essential B vitamins for brain and heart health. Even the maturation of red blood cells requires sufficient folate. That’s one of the reasons several foods, such as bread, are fortified with folate.

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I believe that one of the reasons for the high rates of cancer in Western countries is that we are eating foods that are too rich in protein and fat and not rich enough in essential vitamins and minerals.

Everybody can do something about that. If you look at folic acid, it’s found at high levels in dark green, leafy vegetables, which are easy to grow for many people. Even if you just grow a few plants, you can now supply yourself with some of the folate that your brain desperately needs.

I think one of the reasons we see so much depression, anxiety, and suicide in modern society is that we lack the nutrition needed to keep our mental health in working order.

Many people I’ve seen in my clinic were magnesium deficient. Some also lacked calcium or vitamin C. These clients upgraded their diets to ensure they were getting enough essential nutrients and ended up feeling so much better.

If you suffer from depression or anxiety, and you have a poor quality diet, you have the potential to make a big difference to your mental health. Don’t just look at the keto or carnivore diets. Thinks about the trace elements and vitamins you need, and design your meals and snacks accordingly.

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